Reed High School teacher arrested on suspicion of having sex with students

Apr. 25, 2011

Bethyl “Beth” Shepherd / WCSO

Written by

Jaclyn O’Malley and Michael Martinez

Reno Gazette-Journal

A 34-year-old Reed High School special education teacher remained jailed Monday on charges she had sex with two 17-year-old students, in acts that allegedly occurred in her personal vehicle.

Friday’s arrest of teacher Bethyl “Beth” Shepherd was the second recent sexual misconduct-related arrest of a special education Reed High School employee.

Last month, Reed special education teacher’s aide Marie L. Fisher was arrested on felony charges related to having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old student with whom she also allegedly sent graphic text message photos, according to court documents. An arraignment date has not yet been scheduled in the case.

Shepherd, who has been on administrative leave since school police received information on the incident, faces felony counts of sexual conduct between a school employee and a pupil. Bail was set at $4,000.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed in Sparks Justice Court, school police detectives learned through an unidentified source that Shepherd, employed with the district since August 2001, allegedly was involved in a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student on April 7.

Investigators accused her in the court filing of having sex with two 17-year-olds in her personal vehicle, away from school grounds. She told investigators that one student forced her to engage in sexual activities while she denied any contact with the other.

Washoe County schools police Chief Mike Mieras said, “Well, there are two sides to a story,” but after interviews with other sources, he added, enough information had been gathered to suggest probable cause. “What her allegations are at this time are not quite matching up to the accounts of what was reported to us,” Mieras said.

It was not immediately known Monday afternoon if Shepherd had hired an attorney. A contact phone number Shepherd gave officers went unanswered and did not allow voice mail.

Mieras said school district area superintendent Lynn Rauh, who oversees Reed, is going to meet with Principal Mary Vesco and do some training with the staff on appropriate behavior and personal relationships with students.

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School district police tell students, parents, staff and community members they can call a whistle-blower hot line at 877-874-8416 or school district Secret Witness at 775-329-6666 to report suspected misconduct between employees or students, Mieras said.

Anyone has any additional information about the case can contact school district Detective Sgt. Michelle Burrell at 775-348-0285.

A 34-year-old Reed High School teacher remained jailed Monday on charges she had sex with two students in acts that allegedly occurred in her personal vehicle.

EARLIER UPDATE: Friday’s arrest of teacher Bethyl “Beth” Shepherd was the second recent sexual misconduct-related arrest of a Reed High School employee. Last month, Reed special education teacher's assistant Marie L. Fisher was arrested on felony charges related to having a sexual relationship with a 15-year-old student with whom she sent graphic text message photos, according to court documents. Shepherd is also a special education teacher.

Shepherd on Monday remained in the Washoe County Jail in lieu of $4,000 bail on felony two counts of sexual conduct between a school employee and a pupil.

According to a probable cause affidavit filed in Sparks Justice Court, school police detectives learned through an unidentified source that Shepherd allegedly was involved in a sexual relationship with a 17-year-old student on April 7.

Investigators accused her in the court filing of having sex with two 17-year-olds in her personal vehicle, away from school grounds. She told investigators that one student forced her to engage in sexual activities while she denied any contact with the other.

It was not immediately known Monday afternoon if Shepherd had hired an attorney.